Chapter 67
Kane’s POV
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The knock at the door came just as I was settling into the chair across from the bed where Tessa sat, her knees pulled up to her chest.
She looked so small, so fragile in the soft grey pajamas Kion had sent up. The fabric clung to her in a way that seemed meant to offer comfort, but all it did was highlight the bruises marring her skin.
Her hair, damp and combed through, hung loosely over her shoulders. Her face, free of dirt and dried blood, was pale. But it was her eyes that worried me most. They were distant, as if she were miles away even while sitting right in front of me.
The knock came again, firmer this time, and I stiffened, instinctively moving closer to her.
“Come in, I said, my voice low but firm.
The door opened to reveal Kion, his towering frame filling the doorway. Beside him was a woman who looked as sharp as a blade. She was tall, her black hair slicked back into a severe bun, and her piercing green eyes swept over the room like she was assessing a battlefield.
“This is Dr. Olga Ivanov, Kion said, his tone clipped. “She’s the best pack doctor in the region. She’ll take care of her.”
I didn’t miss the way his gaze lingered on Tessa, his expression unreadable.
–
“She’d better,” I growled, rising to my feet and positioning myself between Tessa and the newcomers feeling heightened having just gotten her back.
The doctor stepped forward, unperturbed by my tone. Her thick Russian accent cut through the tension like a whip. “I know how to do my job, Alpha Kane. You must let me do it.”
I narrowed my eyes but gave a curt nod. “Fine. But I’m staying right here.”
“Suit yourself,” she said briskly, setting down her black leather bag on the bedside table.
Tessa didn’t move or speak, her hands clutching her knees tightly. I crouched in front of her, brushing a strand of hair away from her face. “Hey,” I murmured, keeping my voice soft. “This is just the doctor. She’s here to help. I’m not going anywhere, okay?”
Her eyes flickered to mine, and she nodded slightly, though her grip on her knees didn’t loosen.
“Good girl,” I whispered, squeezing her hand before standing and stepping over to the side, though not far.
Dr. Ivanov moved closer, her movements precise and clinical. She pulled on a pair of latex gloves and gently tilted Tessa’s chin upward to inspect her face. The moment her fingers touched Tessa’s skin, a wave of tension rolled through me.
1 clenched my fists, forcing myself to stay still. Tessa flinched but didn’t pull away, though I could see how tightly she was gripping the fabric of her pajama pants,
Her nose is broken, Ivanov said matter–of–factly, her fingers tracing the swollen bridge. Recent injury. And these bruises… severe, but they will heal with time. Nothing permanent thankfully,
Her tone was clinical, detached, as if she were discussing a routine check–up, It gated on me, but I hit my tongue knowing that she would do the best for. Tessa.
“What about her ribs?” I asked, my voice sharp, I noticed some pretty bad bruising there can you check?
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Chapter 67
Ivanov’s green eyes flicked to me briefly before returning to her patient. “I will check, but she does not appear to be in immediate respiratory distress. Likely bruised, but not fractured/
Good. For if the spy would’ve also broken her ribs I think I would have had to end him before our plan was complete – helping us or not.
She leaned back slightly, meeting Tessa’s gaze, “I need to reset your nose. It will hurt, but it must be done now before it heals incorrectly. Do you understand?”
Tessa nodded slowly, her eyes wide but calm. I moved closer, unable to stay on the sidelines any longer.
Wait,‘ I said, crouching beside Tessa again. “Are you sure you can handle this? I can have her wait if-
Ill be fine, Tessa whispered, her voice barely audible.
Her bravery gutted me. She was already enduring so much, and now this.
Ivanov didn’t waste any time. In one swift, practiced motion, she placed her fingers on either side of Tessa’s nose and shifted to the left.
The crack echoed in the room, sharp and jarring. Tessa gasped, her entire body jerking forward as tears spilled down her cheeks with a scream.
I was there instantly, wrapping my arms around her shoulders and pulling her into my chest. “I’ve got you,” I murmured, my hand cradling the back of her head. “It’s over. You’re okay.”
She clung to me, her breaths shaky as she tried to steady herself.
“Good,” Ivanov said, removing her gloves with a snap. “The nose is back in place. I will prescribe strong painkillers to manage the discomfort. Bruising will
get worse now but should fade in a week or two.”
Thanks. Anything else?” I asked, my voice snappy.
Ivanov packed her tools back into her bag and stood, her sharp gaze meeting mine. “She needs rest. A calm environment. And time. It is none of my business but she’s clearly been through a lot, Alpha. Pushing her to recover too quickly will only do more harm.
I nodded stiffly, still holding Tessa as if letting go would shatter her.
Kion stepped forward then, his expression unreadable. “I’ll make sure the painkillers are brought up immediately. You should stay here for the night. The girls will be safe.”
‘I wasn’t planning on leaving here anyway,” I said coldly, my eyes locked on his.
He held my gaze for a moment before nodding. ‘I know, but just so you remember that you are welcome to all stay.”
With that, he and Ivanov left, the door clicking shut behind them.
I knew Kion had gone above and beyond to help me, but I couldn’t help being so on edge and agitated. I just needed some time alone with Tessa…
I loosened my hold on Tessa just enough to pull back and look at her. Her face was streaked with tears, her lips trembling, but there was a flicker of gratitude in her eyes.
“You’re so strong,” I said softly, brushing my thumb across her cheek. ‘You didn’t deserve any of this, but you’re still here. You’re still fighting. I’m so dama proud of you.”
Her lip quivered, and she buried her face in my chest again. I don’t feel strong, he whispered.
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You are 1 insisted, holding her tightly. And I’ll be here every step of the way until you believe it too. When we get home, I’m going to complete the mating process with you and make you mine forever I won’t let you go Tessa, ni again!
for the first time that night, I felt her relax slightly in my arms, it wasn’t much, but it was enough.
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For now
The silence in the room settled heavy around us, broken only by Tessa’s soft, unen breaths. I could feel the tension radiating from her body, the storm of emotions she kept buried deep. Anger surged through me again, not at her but at the ones who had done this to her. Every bruise, every tear–it was their doing, and i swore to myself they would pay.
Tessa shifted slightly in my arms, her fingers gripping the front of my shirt like was the only thing keeping her grounded, I didn’t dare any sudden action would shatter the fragile calm we’d managed to find.
move,
afraid that
… I don’t even know what home feels like anymore,‘ she whispered, her voice barely audible,
Her words sliced through me, leaving a wound deeper than I was prepared for. How could she feel that way? How could she not see that wherever she was, as long as she was with me, that was home?
I tilted her chin up gently, forcing her to meet my gaze. ‘Home is wherever we are, Tessa,” I said firmly, ‘I don’t care where we end up my pack’s territory. the other side of the world. As long as I have you, I’ll make it a home,”
Her eyes glistened, but she didn’t cry again. Instead, she leaned into me, resting her forehead against mine. It was such a simple gesture, yet it spoke volumes, She might not have believed me yet, but there was trust there, fragile and growing.
1 was so scared, Kane, I didn’t think you cared about me anymore…” she admitted after a long silence.
I know,” I replied. “And you had every right to be scared. You’ve been through hell, Tessa, because of me. But you don’t have to face any of this alone
anymore. I’m here. Always.”
She nodded, her breath warm against my skin. “I just… I don’t know if I can go back to who I was before. To the person I was before all of this.”
1 cupped her face, my thumb brushing over the fresh tear that had escaped. “You don’t have to,” I said softly. “You’re not that person anymore, and that’s okay. You’re stronger now, even if you don’t see it. And I love you for exactly who you are, not who you used to be.”
Her breath hitched, and for a moment, I thought she might argue. But instead, she closed her eyes, letting herself rest against me. It wasn’t much, but it was progress, and I’d take it,
‘D–Do you mean that?” She whispers, as my brows furrow in confusion,
‘Which part?” 1 ask, unsure, as she sighs slowly.
‘You really think you love me? She asks, her voice hushed as though it were a fragile topic.
I shifted us slightly, pulling the blanket over her and tucking it around her shoulders. She didn’t protest, and I stayed right there, holding her as if my presence alone could shield her from the pain.
‘Of course I fucking do… I wouldn’t have came all the way to Russia to fight son dumb ass Alphas for you now would I?! I state, eventually cracking a small smile on to her face.
‘I love you tou Kane. She tells me, as the words send warmth shooting through e
I needed to hear that, more than what I even know…
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Chapter 67
A soft knock came at the door, barely audible as it broke our precious moment.
My wolf bristled, but I held back the growl threatening to rise. “Who is it?”
“It’s Kion,” came the reply quickly after.
“Come in,” I said reluctantly, my grip on Tessa tightening slightly.
Kion entered, a bottle of painkillers and a glass of water in his hands. His expression was neutral, but there was a tension in his shoulders that told me he was just as on edge as I was.
“She should take one now,” he said, setting them on the bedside table. It’ll help her sleep.”
I nodded, grateful despite my lingering wariness of him. “Thank you for everything.”
He hesitated at the door, his gaze flicking back to Tessa. “She’s safe here, Kane. You know that, right? There’s no funny business here – I want to end all of this suffering in Russia.” He concludes, as I sigh and nod once.
“We will.” I state firmly, not wanting to get in to things too much with Tessa listening.
Kion’s jaw tightened. “We can meet again in my office in the morning, to talk things over, but tonight – I’ll leave you two to have some time alone. Let me know if you need anything.”
With that, he left, closing the door quietly behind him.
I turned back to Tessa, who had barely stirred. “You need to take one of these,” I said gently, holding up the bottle.
She nodded, though she didn’t move to sit up. I helped her, supporting her as she swallowed the pill and took a sip of water.
When she settled back against me, her breathing already starting to even out, I felt some of the tension in my chest ease. She was here, in my arms, and for now, that was all I needed.
As the minutes ticked by, her body grew heavier with sleep, but I stayed awake, my mind racing. The world outside this room was still dangerous, still full of threats. But tonight, I’d keep watch. For her. For us.
And when morning came, I’d make sure she knew that no matter what lay ahead, we’d face it together without fear.
